Foodservice
What’s new in candy? Celebrate National Candy Month with these 2025 releases
These 10 new candies are among the most buzzworthy (and potentially bestselling) products to watch.
June 13, 2025 by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group
Every June, National Candy Month invites the industry to indulge a little more deeply in the world of confectionery, and for automated retail professionals, it's also a time to assess what's new, what's selling and what's worth stocking next. From nostalgic throwbacks to high-tech gummies, the candy category continues to be a reliable profit driver for vending operators, micro markets and retail kiosks alike.
In 2025, manufacturers haven't held back. With bold flavor mashups, playful packaging and experiential textures on the rise, this year's launches showcase how well brands understand the modern snacker's desire for novelty and nostalgia. Whether you're looking to diversify your shelf set or entice consumers with seasonal limited editions, these 10 new candies are among the most buzzworthy (and potentially bestselling) products to watch.
1. Hershey's Cinnamon Toast Crunch Kisses
Hershey's launched a limited-edition Kiss that swaps milk chocolate for a cinnamon‑crunch crème studded with graham bits. Debuted in late March, these nine-ounce "share" bags are already trending among baking and snack fans.
2. Salted Caramel Butterfinger
In April, Butterfinger rolled out its first new permanent flavor in over a decade: a salted‑caramel coating layered over the iconic peanut‑butter core. It's flying off shelves through June 2025.
3. Lindt Dubai‑Style Chocolate Bar
Lindt introduces a rich "Dubai-style" bar in July, inspired by a viral treat from Fix Dessert Chocolatier. Made with milk chocolate, pistachio‑almond‑hazelnut paste and crisp knafeh pastry, it's poised to be a viral sensation.
4. Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Caramel Bar
This summer staple revisits s'mores with a smoother take: milk chocolate interspersed with velvety caramel. Early reviews praise its luscious texture and nostalgic campfire charm.
5. Smarties Squashies
Now available in U.S. Target and Five Below stores, these gummies blend foam and chewy textures in raspberry‑cream flavor. Gluten‑ and peanut‑free, they're sparking buzz as a playful, inclusive candy option.
6. Pokémon‑Wrapped Hershey's Kisses
Celebrating Pokémon's Gen I, Hershey's Kisses come wrapped in 151 different Poké Ball-style designs. Each bag also offers a chance to win a collectible display case, combining nostalgia and impulse appeal.
7. TWIX Snickerdoodle
Rolling out this July, Mars' TWIX Snickerdoodle replaces the caramel with cinnamon‑sugar caramel, tapping into enduring cookie flavor trends. Reactions have been mixed but curiosity is high.
8. Sour Patch Kids Straw‑Watermelon Glow Ups
March saw the debut of this glow‑in‑the‑dark gummy innovation coated in edible, fluorescent confetti. With a vivid strawberry‑watermelon flavor, it's become a standout shelf contender.
9. Nerds Juicy Gummy Clusters
Winner of the "Gummy Candy" category at the 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo, these feature juicy strawberry‑punch gummies smothered in crunchy Nerds, bourgeoning into a cult favorite.
10. Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube & Mashups
Bazooka Brands expanded its Juicy Drop line with the interactive Mystery Cube and flavor‑mashup formats. These customizable gummies reflect shifting consumer demand for playful, shareable candy.
About Sandra Carpenter
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